Burlington: Guided Brewery Tour with 12 Vermont Craft Beers

Summary

Local brews in burlington with stories, laughter & real vermont flavor

You’ll hop between three Burlington breweries tasting up to 12 Vermont craft beers alongside locals who love what they do. Expect stories from passionate brewers, snacks to keep you steady, and easy laughs as you travel in an air-conditioned van with your guide. It’s not just about beer—it’s how Burlington welcomes you in small ways you’ll remember later.

What’s the experience like?

Someone’s handing me a cold glass before I’ve even finished my first question—turns out our guide, Mike, knows when people are thirsty. We pile into this van (air-conditioned, thank god, because it’s muggy) plastered with cartoon hops and inside jokes only beer nerds get. The group’s a mix of college friends from Boston and a couple celebrating their anniversary—everyone kind of sizing each other up at first, but that fades fast once the first brewery hits us with that malty smell. I didn’t expect to laugh so much before noon.

First stop is 1st Republic Brewing. Shawn, one of the founders, tells us about coming back to Vermont after serving overseas—his hands move a lot when he talks about brewing, like he can’t quite separate the military discipline from the joy of making beer. Their IPA is sharp and piney; my friend tried to guess the hops and got it totally wrong (Shawn just grinned). There’s this easy camaraderie in the taproom—someone plays darts badly in the corner—and honestly, I could’ve stayed there all afternoon. But we’re herded back into the van for round two.

Queen City Brewery is next. The place smells like toasted bread and something sweet I can’t name. Our guide points out these weird old barrels and mentions “Steinbeer”—they heat rocks to brew it? I still don’t get how it works but the smoky caramel taste lingers longer than I expected. Paul (the brewer) lets us peek at some bubbling tanks; he shrugs off compliments but you can tell he’s proud. We try maybe four or five beers here—my notes got fuzzy after number three if I’m honest.

Last stop: Zero Gravity Brewing down in South End Arts District. It feels different—more polished but still friendly. Destiny pours us a crisp pilsner while telling stories about squeezing their whole operation into a tiny kitchen back in ’04. There’s a snack break here (pretzels? Something salty that hit the spot), and someone asks about vegetarian options—it’s handled without any fuss. At some point we all start swapping favorite beers like old friends. The ride back is quieter, everyone mellowed out by good company and twelve (!) little glasses of Vermont craft beer. I keep thinking about that smoky Steinbeer though—might be my new favorite thing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit three local craft breweries

• Travel in air-conditioned van
• Explore 1st Republic Brewing taproom
• Enjoy beer and snacks at 1st Republic
• Tour Queen City Brewery
• Taste unique specialty beers
• Visit Zero Gravity Brewing facility
• Learn about brewing process

Top questions

How many breweries do you visit on this Burlington brewery tour?

You visit three local craft breweries during the tour.

Are snacks included on the Signature Burlington Brew Tour?

Yes, snacks are included along with your beer tastings.

Is transportation provided for this guided brewery tour?

Round trip transportation in an air-conditioned van is included.

How many types of beer will I get to try?

You can taste up to 12 different Vermont craft beers on this tour.

Do I need to bring ID for this Burlington brewery tour?

Yes, US citizens need a non-expired state ID; non-US citizens should bring their passport.

Is there a vegetarian option available for snacks?

A vegetarian option is available if requested at booking.

What should I wear for this brewery tour?

You must wear closed-toe shoes for safety reasons inside breweries.

Can pregnant travelers join this Burlington beer tour?

This activity is not recommended for pregnant travelers.

What’s included

Your day includes up to 12 craft beer tastings across three Burlington breweries, round trip transportation in an air-conditioned van with your local expert guide sharing stories along the way, plus snacks (vegetarian option available) to keep you going between stops before returning back where you started.